Cricket: Adelaide wicket a 'belter'

ADELAIDE - The prospects of Paul Wiseman -- New Zealand spin bowling's second fiddle -- justifying his place on the Australian tour appeared to increase today after the Black Caps inspected the second test wicket on offer at the Adelaide Oval.

The quick bowlers were braced for the worst and were not disappointed after curator Les Burdett unveiled another belter, similar, he said, to a wicket that produced more than 1000 runs from the first innings' of India and Australia last summer.

Black Caps coach John Bracewell described the surface as already resembling a day one wicket, almost 48 hours out from Friday's toss, indicating it will take turn as the game wears on.

Bracewell, himself a former test spinner, said Wiseman was selected as the foil for Daniel Vettori in Adelaide, meaning the 34-year-old Canterbury-based former Aucklander could be in line for some good news at the team meeting later today (8.30pm NZT).

Depending on Bracewell's thinking, the offspinner could be added at the expense of a batsman -- possibly Craig McMillan -- as the Black Caps bolster their bowling resources while relying on the misfiring top order to come good on a ground with short square boundaries.

Bracewell was typically cagey today and Wiseman also gave nothing away, though recent history seemed to favour his inclusion.

"It turns a bit late in the game and, as long as we can take it late in the game and I get a chance, I'm looking forward to it," said Wiseman, whose tour involvement has been confined to the pre-test nine-wicket loss to New South Wales.

Although he has only been used sporadically since making his debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 1997-98, Wiseman boasts an impressive, if limited, record against Australia.

Underlining the inexperience in the current attack, Wiseman's nine wickets in two tests at home in 2000 is the team's second highest haul against Australia behind Vettori's 37.

After spending most of the past three weeks in the nets, Wiseman said he was looking forward to supporting Vettori, New Zealand's key weapon.

"We had a pretty good partnership in Bangladesh and we have in previous tests and tours as well," he said.

"Sometimes because of his accuracy he ties batsmen down it creates opportunities at the other end for me," said Wiseman, who has 55 wickets at 43.98 in 21 tests.

Optimistically, he averages 25.78 per scalp against Australia.

Wiseman last faced Australia at Hamilton in 2000, and with many of that side still tormenting bowling attacks he knows what to expect.

"They'll be looking to target me. People like (Matthew) Hayden go pretty hard at you.

"They don't give you any time to play."

While Vettori has an extensive armoury at his fingertips, Wiseman, by his own admission, relies more on guile.

"What I do is pretty subtle -- looking at variations in flight and pace. Not too much has changed."

It may prove wishful thinking, but Wiseman clung to the hope the Australian batsmen may take him lightly.

"They've been playing India on pretty tough wickets against some pretty tough spin bowlers, they might find they think it's a little bit easier here."

- NZPA